52 Mr. G. L. Bates — Field-Notes on the 



is impossible to be certain to -vvhich species they belong. In 

 one nest were five nestlings, and in another six, which in 

 both cases were old enough to shew that they were those of 

 Spermestes jjoensis. When the tiny thiugs opened their 

 mouths they displayed bright yellow palates and tongues, 

 with circular black lines runniug around the inside o£ the 

 mouth. 



1488 e. EsTRiLDA astrild occidextalis. [Zok-Osesang.] 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 343. 



This is another hird which I have found only at the Ja, 

 where there is so much country suitable for these grass- 

 dwelling little Weavers. It is smaller than any of the 

 other species found here, as its body after skinning proves, 

 though measurements of the wing and tail shew no difference 

 from its nearest relatives. It is in joking allusion to its 

 size that the native boys name it " Zok Osesang " {" zok ^' 

 meaning " elephant ") . 



1496. EsTRiLDA MELPODA. [Oscsaug, Osanzc, or Ejile.] 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 344. 



This is a common little species both about Efulen and at 

 the Ja, but I have never found its nest — at least a nest that 1 

 knew certainly to belong to it. It has been heard on two or 

 three occasions singing a pretty song. 



1499. EsTRiLDA ATRiCAPiLLA. [Oscsaug, Osanzc, or 



Ejile.] 



Sharpe, Ibis, 1908, p. 343. 



This is the most abundant Estrilda in every place where I 

 have collected. Two of my specimens (they were not breed- 

 ing, for the month was March) were caught after dark by 

 boys in an old Ngas's nest {HeterJnjphantes nif/ncoUis), where 

 they had gone to roost. 



Among the numerous nests of Estrildine birds shown to 

 me that Avere not certainly identified, one nest, and I think 

 two, undoubtedly belonged to this species. A little girl at 

 Efulen found one nest and saw the bird go in ; she quickly 

 closed the entrance with her hand and brought me the nest 



